Convection

This is the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the season of preparation for the feast of Christmas. Advent reminds us that, while we mark the birth of Jesus Christ in history, we are still waiting for the fulfillment of Christ’s reign. So while the sentimental celebration of the Bethlehem Babe is well and good, and the cultural celebration of gift giving and feasting is fine (for those who can afford it), Christmas marks the beginning of God’s invasion of the Earth to reclaim it from the powers of evil and oppression.

After texts about the end of the age and call to repent over the last three weeks, this week we get some unbridled joy! It’s the story of Mary and Elizabeth meeting together after each has come to motherhood in dramatically divine ways. Mary, soon to be the mother of Jesus, arrives shortly after her visit from the angel Gabriel bringing her that news. Elizabeth, who is past childbearing age, is miraculously three months pregnant with the child we will get to know as John the Baptist. Elizabeth proclaims a prophetic greeting as Mary arrives, and Mary responds with a prophetic song of her own. What Mary foresees through the son she is promised is that he and God are about to “flip the script” on the world.